Creative Deli Ham Recipes to Expand Your Palate

Deli ham is a staple in sandwiches worldwide, but have you ever considered its potential beyond the confines of bread?

With a savory flavor that complements a wide range of ingredients and different cuisines—and a malleable texture that can be crisped, layered, rolled, or diced to suit any dish—deli ham has got a versatility that invites innovation. You can elevate your pasta dishes with a sprinkle of crispy ham bits, or wrap it around asparagus for an elegant side dish. The possibilities with sliced deli ham recipes are endless! 

Think Outside the Sandwich: 3 Easy Recipes with Deli Ham

With its ready-to-eat convenience, deli ham is a go-to ingredient for quick meals. But it can also serve as a springboard for creativity in the kitchen.

With its salty, savory flavor and versatile texture, deli ham can be the star ingredient in a variety of tasty dishes. From classic comfort foods to exotic flavors, here are some creative deli ham recipes to expand your palate.

1. Ham Pot Pie

One easy way to create your own recipes using deli ham is by replacing the typically used protein with your favorite deli meats. Take this ham pot pie, for instance. Instead of chicken, deli ham takes the spotlight, adding a salty and savory flavor that complements the creamy, vegetable-filled filling. And with store-bought pie crusts, this sumptuous dish is perfect for even the busiest of days.

• 1 lb Buddig Original Ham, cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 pkg (14.1 oz) refrigerated pie crusts, at room temperature
• 2 cups broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot blend
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour, plus extra to dust work surface
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups yellow onion, sliced
• 1 ¼ cups whole milk
• 3 tbsp whole-grain Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp dried tarragon
• ¾ tsp black pepper, divided
• 6 oz Swiss cheese, shredded
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• Preheat your oven to 450°F. Coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray and place it on a baking sheet.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out one pie crust into a 12-inch round. Transfer the crust to the prepared pie plate. Cover the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, until it's set and starting to turn golden. Let the crust cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes with the pie weights in place. Then, remove the parchment and weights and let it cool for an additional 10 minutes.
• In the meantime, separate the carrots from the broccoli and cauliflower. Proceed to cut all the vegetables into small, bite-size pieces.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and slightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the carrots and cook for another 3 minutes until softened. Then, add the broccoli, cauliflower, and ham, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are just tender, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in the milk, tarragon, mustard, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Stirring constantly over medium-high heat, cook the mixture until it starts to boil and thicken, about 2 minutes. Set aside ⅓ cup of the cheese. Then, add the rest of the cheese to the skillet. Keep stirring until well combined, then remove the skillet from heat.
• Sprinkle the reserved cheese evenly over the bottom of the prebaked crust. Pour the vegetable mixture over the cheese. Roll out the second pie crust into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured work surface. Place it over the vegetable mixture in the pie plate, carefully fold the edges under, and crimp to seal. Lightly brush the crust with beaten egg and make 5 slits in the center to allow steam to escape. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
• Bake the pie at 450°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.

2. Hearty Pea and Ham Soup

When it comes to recipes using deli sliced ham, you can’t get much simpler than this pea and ham soup. This hearty soup is perfect for a cozy night in, with the ham adding a delicious depth of flavor to the classic combination of peas and carrots. And with only six ingredients, it’s an easy recipe that yields satisfying results.

• 10 oz Buddig Original Ham, sliced into small bits
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
• 1 liter ham or pork stock
• 18 oz frozen peas

• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it starts foaming, add the chopped onion and cook gently until softened, without letting it color.
• Add the diced potato to the saucepan and stir to coat it in the butter. Pour in the ham or pork stock and simmer until the potato is softened.
• Tip in the frozen peas and bring the soup back to a boil. Continue cooking for a couple of minutes until the peas are tender.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and use a blender to blend the soup until smooth. Stir in the  ham. Serve and enjoy!

3. Ham and Cheese Muffins

Packed with the savory goodness of ham and the melting delight of cheese, these muffins make a great snack, side, or even breakfast. They're convenient, too! You can bake a large batch ahead of time and freeze them so that whenever you crave a quick snack or need an easy side, you can simply reheat them and enjoy. Word to the wise: you may want to make a double batch, as they will disappear quickly.

• 1 cup Buddig Original Honey Ham, chopped
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup scallions, finely chopped

• ½ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 12-hole muffin pan with butter or line it with cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, combine eggs, melted butter, milk, and granulated sugar. Whisk until well blended.
• Sift in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk again until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Add ham, cheese, and scallions to the bowl. Mix everything together using a spatula until well incorporated.
• Scoop the batter into each cup or liner, filling them all the way to the top.
• Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
• Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Go Beyond Basic Deli Meat Recipes with Buddig

From sandwich fillings to pizza toppings and from appetizers to main courses, deli meats can add flavor, protein, and a satisfying bite to almost any dish. So don't be afraid to get creative with deli ham recipes! Try using Buddig deli ham in dishes where you wouldn't typically find it, like in a stir-fry or a pasta sauce. You could even use it to add a savory twist to a sweet dish.

With Buddig, you're only limited by your imagination. So go ahead and experiment with different flavors and textures to create delicious meals that your whole family will enjoy! 

To start, find the nearest Buddig retailer with our store locator to grab your favorite Buddig products.